October 23 at 10:00 am (Pacific time zone)
Aaron Ginsburg: Curing the "I can't find my shtetl" syndrome; Examples and techniques
Aaron Ginsburg: Curing the "I can't find my shtetl" syndrome; Examples and techniques

Sometimes it's not easy to find a shtetl using the JewishGen Communities Database (formerly known as the Shtetl Finder) on jewishgen.org. Either your shtetl is not listed, there are too many hits, or not enough information is available. This presentation will discuss Shtetl Finder and demonstrate alternate approaches, using examples. Techniques will include networking, detailed family histories, immigration and naturalization, military records, JewishGen records, Yad Vashem, and how to find and use detailed online maps for Poland and Austria-Hungary. Having found the shtetl, the examples will show how that may lead to more information.
Aaron Ginsburg was born in Newport, Rhode Island. His research into his family led to the creation of a non-profit organization, The Friends of Jewish Dokshitsy, to help local officials in Belarus restore a Jewish cemetery. Aaron has traveled frequently to Belarus and Ukraine and he has helped several families reunite after 50-100 years. His motto is, “Genealogy can be fun…if you are patient."
Aaron Ginsburg was born in Newport, Rhode Island. His research into his family led to the creation of a non-profit organization, The Friends of Jewish Dokshitsy, to help local officials in Belarus restore a Jewish cemetery. Aaron has traveled frequently to Belarus and Ukraine and he has helped several families reunite after 50-100 years. His motto is, “Genealogy can be fun…if you are patient."
November 20 at 10:00 am (Pacific time zone)
Phil Goldfarb: Getting the Most out of the JewishGen Discussion Group
Phil Goldfarb: Getting the Most out of the JewishGen Discussion Group

The JewishGen Discussion Group (or the JGDG as Phil likes to call it) is the preeminent "granddaddy" of online Jewish Genealogy forums. And the old man still has a few tricks to teach those young FaceBook upstart whippersnappers. This presentation starts from the beginning - What is the JGDG and how can it help you? - and walks you through how to use its features and get the most out of it.
Phil Goldfarb was born and raised in New Jersey and is a 4th generation pharmacist. After pharmacy school, he entered the Army Medical Service Corps where he served as the administrative officer for the Brooke Army Medical Center retiring as a Captain, USAR.
Researching genealogy for 35 years, Phil is the founding and current President of the JGS of Tulsa which he started in 2005. He has lectured extensively on various topics in genealogy, published articles on genealogy in numerous periodicals, and authors a monthly column in the Tulsa Jewish Review. He has written two books titled “A Page of History: Passport Applications 1851-1914” and “A Page of History: Passport Applications Volume II 1915-1925." Phil is a member of the Leadership Team for JewishGen as well as being the Lead Moderator for the JewishGen Discussion Group. He was the Chairman of the 2020 IAJGS Awards Committee and sits on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations. In July 2020 he won an Emmy Award as a Producer for the Tulsa Historical Society's documentary titled "L ‘dor V’dor Generation to Generation: A History of Tulsa’s Jewish Community" which has been shown on PBS stations around the U.S.
Phil Goldfarb was born and raised in New Jersey and is a 4th generation pharmacist. After pharmacy school, he entered the Army Medical Service Corps where he served as the administrative officer for the Brooke Army Medical Center retiring as a Captain, USAR.
Researching genealogy for 35 years, Phil is the founding and current President of the JGS of Tulsa which he started in 2005. He has lectured extensively on various topics in genealogy, published articles on genealogy in numerous periodicals, and authors a monthly column in the Tulsa Jewish Review. He has written two books titled “A Page of History: Passport Applications 1851-1914” and “A Page of History: Passport Applications Volume II 1915-1925." Phil is a member of the Leadership Team for JewishGen as well as being the Lead Moderator for the JewishGen Discussion Group. He was the Chairman of the 2020 IAJGS Awards Committee and sits on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations. In July 2020 he won an Emmy Award as a Producer for the Tulsa Historical Society's documentary titled "L ‘dor V’dor Generation to Generation: A History of Tulsa’s Jewish Community" which has been shown on PBS stations around the U.S.